Matthews mashes up TKR

Another batting masterclass from captain Hayley Matthews saw the Barbados Royals overcome the Trinbago Knight Riders in the second match of the 2024 Massy Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy (BLCA) in Tarouba, last night.

After her decisive innings of 61 not out against the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the first game of the competition on Wednesday, Matthews showed again why she is one of the best in the world in the white ball format. The in-form opener struck 12 boundaries to finish unbeaten on 67 off 56 balls to see her side complete a comfortable seven wicket victory with 17 balls to spare.

Matthews started the evening well and never looked back. She won the toss for the second night in a row and chose to insert the opposition, her decision vindicated with the very first ball of the match as Chinelle Henry bowled Knight Riders opener Kycia Knight.

It was a sign of things to come as a procession of wickets fell soon after. The Knight Riders total of 113 for nine never looked enough to challenge the Royals stellar batting card and so it proved when Matthews hit the winning four off Shikha Pandey from the first ball of the 18th over. The 2023 champions have two wins from two games and look the team to beat in the early stages of this year’s WCPL.

The Royals obliterated the Knight Riders top order to leave them reeling on 57 for six at the half-way stage in the innings and it was thanks to Shikha Pandey and Zaida James that the Knight Riders reached the total that they did. A partnership of exactly 50 runs off 47 deliveries for the seventh wicket helped Deandra Dottin’s side bat out their allotted overs and post a total of 113 for nine.

Pandey, in particular played, well, top scoring for her side with 30 runs, her deft cuts and manipulation of the ball into the gaps was impressive in the face of tight bowling.

Matthews took a fine diving catch in the outfield and topped off a sparkling Player of the Match performance by bowling both Zaida James and Jazhara Claxton to take two for 21 with the ball.

For the second match in a row the Royals bowlers impressed and shared the wickets around, Henry, Matthews and Wellington all picking up two wickets apiece and Qiana Joseph and Aaliyah Alleyne pocketing one each. The Barbados side are firing in all departments.

Tonight, TKR will attempt to get their first win when they face the Amazon Warriors at the BLCA from 8 p.m.

Summarised scores:

TKR 113-9, 20 overs (Shikha Pandey 30, Deandra Dottin 28; Zaida James 22; Amanda-Jade Wellington 2/14, Chinelle Henry 2/14, Hayley Matthews 2/21)

vs Barbados Royals 116-3, 17.1 overs (Hayley Matthews 67 n.o., Jess Jonassen 2/21)

—-Royals won by seven wickets.